meet the 2024 mcm diplomats
These passionate runners are helping MCMO tell the world about a healthy and active lifestyle through fun, authentic and engaging content. Follow each of our Diplomats as they showcase their passion for the sport while training for the 49th MCM.
JoHN cALABRESE
John is a runner of all distances as he’s known for doing everything from 1 mile to over 100. He’s been running since 2017, including the Marine Corps Marathon twice. He is fired up to return to the Marine Corps Marathon, his favorite marathon, which he last ran in 2019 with Ainsley’s Angels. John lives on a farm in Culpeper, and is a caregiver for the absolute biggest fan of the Marine Corps Marathon, Donald Harms. He loves working with Donald and all the smiles and positive energy he brings.
Come to John’s IG account @breezytrailhead and prepare to be motivated!
Jessica Hood
Jessica is an avid runner and content creator based in Washington, DC. She has run four marathons (including MCM in 2023!) and is always up for a fun running challenge. When she isn’t running or creating content, she loves trying new restaurants and activities in DC with friends. She is also a running and portrait photographer (if she’s not running the race, she’s cheering and capturing the joy of others running their races!)
You can follow along her marathon training journey on Instagram @jessrhood or TikTok @jessicarosehood.
Henry Zapata
Henry is an active duty Marine originally from Brooklyn, New York and is currently stationed in Baltimore, Maryland where he finds himself exploring the city with RIOT Squad Running. He fell in love with running while stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic as he would explore the beautiful island on foot while running with the Okinawa Pavement Pounders. He has ran four MCMs so far and is looking to finally join the MCM Runners Club this year after completing his fifth race. Henry loves to challenge himself and is always looking to push his limits. He has currently set a personal goal to run at least one marathon in a different state each month this year, possibly overseas as well.
You can follow Henry on his marathon running adventures on Instagram @highdef82
Christina DePriest
Christina started running marathons 10 years ago, when she was going through a divorce and becoming a single parent. She has run MCM eight times so far. Running has given her an opportunity to travel the world with her son, and show him cultures and cities he may not have otherwise experienced. She works in Global Supply Chain for a defense contractor, and her team is incredibly supportive of her running. She has run over 40 marathons and has been lucky enough to qualify for two world majors using time, completing 5 majors thus far. MCM and Boston are the only races she has ever repeated because she loves them both so much!
Set your running goals along with Christina by following her on Instagram @christinadepriest and on Facebook.
Robert Dietz
Robert Dietz is a runner, cyclist and triathlete from the Jersey Shore. At the start of his fitness journey in 2015, he was approximately 290lbs and has lost over 100lbs, sustaining the weight loss through a healthy active lifestyle. He has ran 10 marathons, a dozen half marathons and has done a handful of multisport events ranging from duathlons to Ironman 70.3s. He is a graduate of Penn State University and has worked as a civilian for the Department of Navy (NAVAIR) since 2008 working on logistics support for Support Equipment for Navy and Marine Airframes. This past year, he was involved in the New Jersey Run for the Fallen which was a 195 plus mile relay run from Cape May, NJ to Holmdel, NJ running to honor a fallen Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine every mile of the event. Robert will be running the MCMO events in memory of some of the local fallen Marines from his immediate area.
You can follow Robert on his marathon running adventures on Instagram @Irunfasterthandemodogs.
No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied.